Indoor air quality concerns, precautions Published Sept. 10, 2010 By Bruce Pelka JB MDL Bioenvironmental Engineering Office JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- In recent months, indoor air quality has been the subject of much attention due to the summer's high temperatures this summer. Although serious health-related problems are rare, there is a common perception that IAQ causes poor health. The causes and possible effects are not always completely understood. Indoor air quality is good when it is odor and dust free, has adequate air movement and is a comfortable temperature and humidity. When IAQ is poor, most health-related complaints mimic cold or flu like symptoms such as headaches, sinus problems, nausea, fatigue or irritation of the eyes, nose or throat. Potential sources of contaminants in office buildings include cleaning supplies, pesticides, new building materials, furnishings, dusts, cosmetics, molds, mildew and human by-products such as carbon dioxide, dander, perspiration and food or garbage not disposed of in an appropriate and frequent manner. Virtually all of these are present in a building environment to some degree and only become a problem when concentrations become excessive. Poor IAQ often occurs when ventilation is inadequate to keep contaminant concentrations at acceptable levels. The heating, ventilation, and air condition system should not only control contaminants, but must also provide a comfortable environment. The perception of still or stale air, odor, draftiness or errant temperature and humidity can lead to discomfort and the beginning of an IAQ complaint. What should you do if you think your office has an IAQ problem? It depends upon what condition exists. If windows or open ventilation are not an option or when conditions are more difficult to correct such as in an office that is hot or too cold, vents that blow air directly on an occupant or extremely dirty vent registers, then service work orders may be required. An IAQ survey from the Bioenvironmental Engineering Office can help and the assessment findings can be attached to the work order Form 332. Surveys generally consist of interviews with building occupants and a walkthrough of the facility to look for potential problem sources. Under certain situations, we may also perform air monitoring for basic parameters such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity to give an overall indication of optimal IAQ. If it is suspected that other materials, such as asbestos, lead or volatile organic compounds, are present in significant concentrations then more extensive air sampling may be performed. However, sampling for mold, mildew or other viable organisms is rarely done unless an individual has a documented medical history linking a reaction to a specific mold. Symptoms vary from one individual to another like allergies and that is why there are no federal standards for mold. The Air Force uses a published document "Interim Policy and Guidance for the Prevention, Surveillance, and Remediation of Water Damage and Associated Mold Contamination" and refers to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers guide when assessing facilities. Is there an indication of mold growth? Mold spores are continually present in outdoor air. These spores will eventually collect indoors where dust accumulates. Mold growth in the workplace results from water intrusion into the building that damages wood, drywall, cardboard or any cellulose-based material that provides a food source for spores to become mold. Dust accumulation around ventilation filters, ceiling or wall vents and where the furniture base meets carpet will start mold growth in warm, humid rooms. Facility managers need to pay particular attention to these areas for signs of mold issues. How can we prevent mold growth and make IAQ ideal? Identifying issues and taking precautions early will reduce IAQ and mold problems before they become a nuisance. · Use dehumidifiers if the HVAC system cannot reduce the humidity to optimum. · Clean and prevent build-up of dust around vents and filters. · Repair water damaged areas quickly. · Keep room temperatures in the 73-79 degree F range during summer months; 67-74 in winter. · Locate electrical equipment, computers, appliances, etc. away from thermostats. · Avoid having too many people working in a limited office space. · Rooms need about 10 air changes per hour based on room volume for comfort ventilation. · Dispose of garbage and food waste every other day. · Conduct frequent facility management inspections and good house-keeping practices. Larger facility problems will involve Bioenvironmental and Civil Engineering coordination to assess the risks and take corrective actions. Contact the Bioenvironmental Engineering Office at 754-9063 if you have any questions on IAQ.